Australian oiler Success on last overseas visit ahead of July decommissioning

Royal Australian Navy oiler HMAS Success conducted its last foreign port visit before retiring after 33 years of service.

Success visited Makassar in South Sulawesi, Indonesia, in what was also the final port visit by the Indo-Pacific 2019 (IPE19) joint task group, which included HMA Ships Canberra and Newcastle.

The ship’s commanding officer, Captain Darren Grogan, said the visit was important.

“Indonesia is a vital partner for us; we are close friends and neighbors and share the world’s longest maritime boundary,” Captain Grogan said.

“Our defense relationship is a longstanding one focused on a wide variety of security-related matters like counter terrorism, maritime security, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief and peacekeeping.

“This was a successful port visit for us and the IPE19 Joint Task Force, but this is the last time this hardworking, proud and professional Navy ship will get to see foreign shores.”

Success will stop in Cairns and Brisbane on the way to Sydney for her decommissioning at the end of next month.